Garment hanger



Nov. 30, 1948.

P. S. KEMPF GARMENT HANGER Filed June 5, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Z 404 j J MP1 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT GARMENT HANGER Paul S. Kempf, Brookline, Mass. Application June 5, 1947, Serial No. 752,647

My invention relates to a garment hanger.

An important object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger well adapted to support a coat and trousers or coat and skirt, simultaneously, and provided with a permanently attached movable bar for clamping the trousers or skirt against a stationary bar to prevent the same from slipping off the hanger. b A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a garment hanger wherein a movable gravity assisted cross bar can be swung to an open or non-clamping position, where it will remain without being held by the hand of the user, so that the user may employ both hands in placing the trousers or skirt over such movable bar; and the movable cross bar carrying the trousers may be readily swung to the closed or clamping position against an adjacent stationary bar. I A further object is to provide a garment hanger provided with a gravity assisted clamping cross bar, where the arrangement of parts is such that the effect of gravity is utilized to maintain the clamping cross bar in its open and closed positions, and the maximum effect of gravity is utilized to maintain the cross bar in its closed or clamping position. b

A still further object is to provide a garment hanger of the class mentioned which may be formed entirely of wire providing a simplified unitary device, which is practical and quite inexpensive to manufacture. e

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, i

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garment hanger embodying the invention, and showing the movable cross bar in the open or non-clamping position,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the hanger, showing the same in use to support a skirt, the movable cross bar being in the closed or clamping position, c

Figure 2a is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the hanger as shown in Figure 2,

Figure 3 is a perspective View of a modified form of garment hanger, showing the movable cross bar in the open position,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same showing the hanger in use and the movable cross bar in the clamping position,

6 Claims. (craze-91) 2 p v Figure 4a is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the hanger as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further modification of the hanger, and showing the movable bar in the open position,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the same, showing the movable bar in the clamping position and supporting a skirt, and,

Figure 6a is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the hanger as shown in Figure 6;

- Inthe drawings, where for the purpose of illus tration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is called first to Figures 1, 2, and 2a, wherein the numeral ill designates a coat support which is preferably formed from a single piece of wire, bent to provide the: desired form. This coat support Ill is vertical in use, and includes downwardly extending parallel ends ll, integral therewith, which terminate in vertical loops [2, forming aligned pivot openings I3. The loops l2 carry horizontal parallel extensions or arms is extending transversely of coat support l0, and substantially at right angles thereto. The arms H are connected by a relatively stationary horizontal cross bar I5, formed integral therewith, and the bar I5 is ofiset laterally with respect to the coat support ill and parallel to the same, see Figuresl and 2a. One end of the wire forming the coat support! and associated elements is bent to form theu'sual hanger hook it at the top of the hanger, and

the opposite end of this wire'is looped about the base of thehook I6, as'at ll, and this loop is pinched to makea permanent rigid connection. It is-thus seen that the coat support 10 and elements associated therewith are formed froma single integral lengthof wire, as stated.

The-numeral l8 designates a'movable horizontal'cros's barofsubstantially the same length as the bar l5'and parallel thereto in all positions. The movable cross bar l8 has transverse end extensions or arms l9 disposed slightly inwardly of the arms id; The arms I!) carry short outwardly projecting ends or pivot members 20 which are in axial alignment, and parallel to the cross bar 18. The aligned pivot members 20 pass through'the aligned openings l 3 and are pivotally mounted therein; and the members 2B are bent at their ends and terminate in loops 2|. These loops 2| are adapted to swing about the outside oithe loops" l2, when the cross bar I8 is moved from the open to the closed position, and the loops 2| engage against the vertical ends H and function as stops to limit'the movement of the cross bar' 18 in 'the' open direction.' Theinside diameters of the openings [3 are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the ends 20, so as to provide a free pivotal connection with the same. It is thus seen that the movable cross bar i 8 and elements carried thereby are formed from a single piece of wire, and the cross bar 18 is permanently pivotally connected with the coat support II].

In use, the movable bar I 8 is swung to the open position, Figure 1, and the loops 2| engage ends I i and serve as stops. The bar l8 will remain in this open position while the hanger is suspended by the hook I6. A pair of trousers or a skirt'S may be placed over the movable bar i8, and the bar is then swung to the closed and clamping position, Figures 2 and 2a. In this latter position the bar l8 engages upon the stationary bar l5, and the skirt S is clamped between the bars, Figure 2a. Gravity aids this clamping action and the heavier the garment the greater the clamping efiect. Since the arms l4 and [9 are both substantially at right angles to the coat support I when the bar I8 is in the clamping position, and since the bars and 18 are ofiset laterally from the pivot openings [3, the maximum effect of ravity is utilized for the clamping action. It should be noted that it is unnecessary for the user of the hanger to hold the bar H3 in its open position while placing the skirt S over the same,

and the bar 18 remains in the open position because of gravity. Both hands of the user are available to adjust the skirt and to close the bar l8. Obviously a coat or like garment may be place upon coat support ll; in the usual manner. 1

In Figures 8, 4 and 4a, I have shown a modification of the invention, wherein the numeral 22 designates a vertical coat support formed from a a single piece of wire bent into the proper shape. Qne end of the wire forming the coat support 22 is bent to form a hanger hook 23, and the 0pposite end is looped about the base of the hook 23 and pinched to form a permanent rigid connection, as shown at 24. The coat support 22 includes longitudinally extending shoulder supports or end loops 25, the lower horizontal sides 26 of which extend laterally of the vertical coat support 22 and are disposed at an angle thereto. The sides 26 are bent at their inner ends to form horizontal pivot loops or members 21', and the inner ends 28 of the pivot loops are horizontal and straight, and arranged substantially at right angles to the coat support 22. The ends 28 project laterally of the coat support 22 and are connected at their ends by a relatively stationary cross bar 29 formed integral therewith. The cross bar 28 is offset laterally from the coat support 22 and parallel to the same. All of the aforementioned elements are formed from a single length of wire.

The numeral 30 designates a horizontal pivoted cross bar, parallel to the bar 29, and adapted to be swung :from the open to the closed or clamping position against the bar 29. The movable bar 3.5) has parallel transverse ends or arms 3!, dis,- posed adjacent to the ends 28 and parallel thereto, and at right angles to the bar 30. The inner ends of the arms 31 are bent outwardly and back upon themselves to form substantially horizontal small loops or stops 3;. The outer ends of these horizontal loops 32 are bent into vertical pivot loops 33 which receive the pivot elements 21 and are permanently 'pivotally mounted thereon. The movable cross bar 30 and par-ts carried thereby are formed from a single length of wire.

it is th t that th se and ep et e-q the hanger shown and described in connection with Figures 3, 4, and 4a is obvious, in view of the description of the use and operation of the previous form of the invention. The garment hanger shown in Figures 3, 4, and 4a is used in exactly the same manner.

In Figures 5, 6, and 6a, I have shown a further modification of the invention, wherein the numeral 34 designates a coat support formed from a single piece of wire in the same manner described in the previous forms of the invention. One end of the wire is bent to form a hanger hook 3'5 and the opposite end is looped about the base of the hook 35 and pinched in place to provide a permanent rigid connection. The coat support is vertical in use, and includes parallel downwardly extending ends 31 bent at their lower ends to form horizontal helical loops 38, which are slightly offset laterally relative to the coat support 34 and which provide vertical openings 38' for a purpose to be described. The inner ends of the loops 38 are connected by a relatively stationary horizontal cross bar 33, preferably disposed adjacent to the sides of the loops 38 remote from the coat support 34 see Figure 5. These described elements are formed from a single integral length of wire.

The numeral 49 designates a movable cross bar,

7 adapted to be moved from 'an' open to a closed or clamping position upon the relatively stationary cross bar 39. The bar 40 includes transverse parallel extensions or arms 4|, integral therewith, and these arms are bent at their ends to provide vertical loops or stops 42. Cross bar'arms 4! are slidably received within the openings 38' and slide therein when the cross bar is swung from the open to the closed position. The loops 42 func: tion as stops to limit the travel of the cross bar 50 in the opening direction, and cause the arms 4! to remain substantially at right angles to the coat support 34 when in the open position.

In use, trousers or skirt S are placed upon movable bar all in the open position, Figure 5. The bar 40 will remain in the open position because of gravity. The bar with the trousers or skirt upon'it may be readily moved into the closed or clamping position, Figure 6a, in a single'sliding and dropping movement. This places the bar 40 above the relatively stationary bar 39, and the clamping action is present as in the other forms of the invention. A coat or like garment may be placed upon the coat support 34 in the usual manner.

In all three forms of the invention as illustrated by Figures 2a, 4a, and 6a, if an attempt is made to pull the skirt 3 downwardly and ofi the movable ros b r, t e ippin .or cl n action s n: creased. There is no tendency for the skirt to slip off the hanger when the same is suspended by the hanger hook in a closet, or the like. A novel nd ed e i usl se r i hi r n han r resides in the fact that the movable clamping bar is offset laterally from the coat support portion of the hanger while in the open position; and there is no necessity for holding the bar this position while placing a skirt upon it. When in the closed position, in all forms of the invention, the movable bar is arranged relative to the adjacent stationary .bar in such a manner that the maximum eiieot of gravity is utilized for maintaining the movable bar in such closed position.

It is to be understood that the forms of my h w h shewn andw scr bd a to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A garment hanger comprising a support, a cross bar carried by the support and stationary with relation thereto, a movable cross bar to be arranged above the stationary cross bar when in its closed position, and means effecting adjustable connections between the movable cross bar and relatively stationary cross bar so that the movable cross bar may be shifted laterally to an open position and spaced substantially horizontally from the stationary cross bar and including stops to positively support the movable cross bar against downward movement from the open position.

2. A garment hanger comprising a stationary cross bar, lateral extensions carried by the cross bar near its ends and provided with loops near their free ends, supporting means connected with the loops, a movable cross bar, lateral extensions carried by the movable bar near its ends and having parts pivotally mounted within the loops, said parts having stop elements which engage the loops and support the movable cross bar when it is shifted from the stationary bar to an open position, the movable cross bar being shiftable to a closed position above the stationary cross bar.

3. A garment hanger comprising a stationary cross bar, lateral extensions carried by the cross bar near its ends and provided with pivot elements, supporting means connected with the pivot elements, a movable cross bar, lateral extensions carried by the movable cross bar near its ends and having loops receiving the pivot elements, said loops having stop elements which engage the pivot elements for suporting the movable cross bar when it is shifted from the stationary cross bar to an open position, the movable cross bar being shiftable to a closed position above the stationary cross bar.

4. A garment hanger comprising a stationary cross bar provided near its ends with loops, supporting means connected with the stationary cross bar, a movable cross bar, lateral extensions secured to the movable cross bar near its ends and mounted within the loops to move longitudinally therein and turn with relation thereto, the movable cross bar being shiftable from the stationary bar to an open position, and stops carried by the lateral extensions and engaging the loops for holding the movable cross bar against downward movement when shifted to the open position, the movable cross bar being arranged above the stationary cross bar when in the closed position.

5. A garment hangencomprising a support, a cross bar carried by the support and stationary with relation thereto, a movable cross bar adapted when in a closed position to clamp a garment against the stationary cross bar, means pivotally connecting the movable cross bar with the stationary cross bar so that the movable cross bar may be swung to closed and opened positions, and. stop means disposed adjacent to the pivot means to support the movable cross bar against down- Ward movement when shifted to the opened position.

6. A garment hanger, comprising a support, a stationary cross bar carried by the support, pivot elements secured to the ends of the stationary cross bar, a movable cross bar to assume a position above the stationary cross bar, lateral extensions secured to the ends of the movable cross bar and having parts pivotally engaging with said pivot elements, the parts having stop elements which engage the pivot elements when the movable cross bar is in an open position for holding the movable cross bar positively against downward movement.

PAUL S. KEMPF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES- PATENTS Number Name Date 1,232,214 Bye July 3, 1917 1,955,205 Sevigny Apr. 17, 1934 

